Sec. 264.019. COLLECTION AND REPORTING OF ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE STATISTICS. (a) The department shall collect the following information and update the department's automated case tracking and information management system to allow caseworkers to record:

(1) the number of children reported to the department who at birth tested positive for the presence of alcohol or a controlled substance;

(2) the controlled substances for which the children described by Subdivision (1) tested positive;

(3) the number of children described by Subdivision (1) who were removed from their homes and have been diagnosed as having a disability or chronic medical condition resulting from the presence of alcohol or controlled substances; and

(4) the number of parents who test positive for the presence of a controlled substance during a department investigation of a report of abuse or neglect of the parent's child.

(b) Not later than November 1 of each year, the department shall:

(1) prepare for the preceding year a report containing:

(A) the information collected under Subsection (a); and

(B) the data collected under Section 531.02143, Government Code;

(2) post a copy of the report prepared under Subdivision (1) on the department's Internet website; and

(3) electronically submit to the legislature a copy of the report.

(c) The commissioner of the department shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

(d) The department is required to implement this section in a state fiscal biennium only if the commissioner of the department determines that the legislature has specifically appropriated an amount sufficient to update the department's automated case tracking and information management system. If the commissioner of the department does not make that determination, the department shall implement this section not later than the date of the department's next update of the automated case tracking and information management system.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 417 (S.B. 195), Sec. 2, eff. January 1, 2020.